September 20, 2011

1:57 PM

On Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, firefighters from Portland and the entire state will join with firefighters from Washington, California, and as far away as Florida, Tennessee, Colorado and Montana to compete in the 3rd annual Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge.

During the stairclimb, 500 firefighters will race up 40 floors or 800 steps of the U.S. Bancorp Tower in downtown Portland in over 70 pounds of full firefighting gear. Each firefighter is climbing to raise awareness and funds in the battle against Cystic Fibrosis (CF). In 2010, the event alone raised more than $75,000 that was donated directly to the Oregon Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis.

Special guest and Senator Ron Wyden will be in attendance this year to welcome and wish luck to the competing firefighters.

Racers will vie for men's and women's titles in individual competition and team titles will be awarded based on the combined time of the team's fastest racers. Awards will also be presented to the firefighters that raise the most in donations.

Retired Portland Firefighter Wes & Grandson Carson

Wes Loucks, a retired Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter of 32 years, and his wife Belinda founded the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb when both of their young grandsons were born with CF. CF is a chronic genetic disease impacting a child's lung and digestive system. Currently, more than 30,000 children in American have CF. In the 1950s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. However, there is no cure for CF. Wes is now calling on his friends, firefighters and community to help raise money for research that will aid in finding the cure.

Although the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb is open only to firefighters, the public can help several different ways. On Friday, September 23, 2011 beginning at 6:00 pm, a Kick-Off party for the stairclimb will be held at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub located at 112 SW 2nd Avenue.  All are invited to attend and take part in a 50/50 raffle, giveaways, and beverage specials throughout the night.  All proceeds will benefit the CF Foundation.  The public can also support the stairclimb's mission through donations. Visit http://www.portlandstairclimb.com to make a donation that will support the mission of the CF Foundation and help keep pace with current commitments to vital cystic fibrosis research and care.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 September 20, 2011

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